Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-03-22

TWICE A PRISONER.

l0cfe was CODAlUcEaDlc cACitcuOuU
among q small detachment of confeder-
ates that had been sent out by Van Dorm
to reconnoiter the enemy's position. The
excitement of the little band of gray
coats was of jubilant nature. They had
surprised and captured gallant young
officer. who had been riding along rather
carelessly through dense Arkansas cane
brake q short distance from the federal
lines. The young officer, Lieut.. Arthur
Hartwell, was off duty. He was just re-
covering from wound re ,eived in An en-
gagement between two skirmishing par.
ties which had surprised each other on
the banks of the White river.
Lieut.. Hartwell spent much OF his time
while convalescing in the saddle, hoping
that frequent exercise on his superb horse
would soon put him in military trim
again. The Union spies had reported no
confederates within twelve miles OF camp
that morning. The lieutenant had ridden
off carelessly in the afternoon, wandering
farther from the Union lines than he had
int nded. Some fine wild fruit on dis
tant mountain slope had beguiled him
away. After RECALLING himself on the
the lucious fruits OF the wildwood. he
turned his horses head in the direction OF
the federal camp.
Midway of the extensive canebrake
through which he had to pass in order to
gain the camp, the young officer found
himself surrounded by a little band of
heavily booted rebels, and in moment
was prisoner, deprived of bis revolvers,
his arms pinioned by brawny hands and
his horse securely held by a gruff speci-
men of the south.
.Johny Reb too smart for you Yana
this time" ieeringly remarked the one
who held, like a remorseless wise, the
captive's bride rein.
..Well, gentlemen. you have decided
advantage over me; 80 I'll endeavor to
make virtue of necessity by surrender
ing as gracefully as possible" replied the
Young officer with all the GOODNESS he
could summons.
Gosh! we never gin yer chance to
surrender; we gobbled yer up like hen
does a grub worm" said one of the more
facetous of the confederates, who had
been making merry over the capture.
That's list what we DONE" assented
the one who had bestowed the title of
johnny Reb" on himself, and who still
grasped Hartwell's bride rein.
well. boys" spoke up the jubilant
rebel, 1--WE haven't scarf up nary thing
for supper yit. Suppose we build up a
fire and roast this internal Yank."
For answer the others feigned to scent
a bad smell and held their noses.
ooh, | understand! Yer don't like
skunk meat. All right. we'll take him
down to camp and let Van Dorm have him
for dessert on toast" and a loud laugh
greeted this announcement.
Lieut. Hartwell sat on his horse, APP
paren,ly calm. But to be the sole butt of
such uncouth iests was calling to his
proud, manly spirit. Try as he would, he
could MOI repress all the Indignation he
felt 1t famed on his handsome, fair
face. and in his clear blue eyes. His
well formed white teeth held the lips
firmly together under a sweeping blonde
mus,achc. After his first speech he de-
termned to control his tongue, knowing
better part of valor.
Before more could be said the tramp of
near horsemen, coming directly toward
them through the thick cane, put every
man on his guard Each grasped his
carbine, ready for an emergency. Lieut..
Hartwell for the, time being, was for
gotten. The rebel who held his rein. on
the first intimation Of danger, relaxed his
firm hold, and turned his attention to the
coming horsemen. Every eye of the
rebel band was glued. as it were, in that
direction. Were they friends or toes !?
The tall, dense canes prevented an i'm.
mediate answer to the mute question
formed in the mind of the brawnv Con-
federate. In the momentary excitement
which prevailed, Lieut.. Hartwell. quick
as thought. slipped from his saddle aud
darted off through the towering canes.
His captors. too ixedly occupied in
awaiting a glimpse of the yet invisible
horsemen, did not at once dis
cover the disappearance of their prisoner.
When johnny Reb" shot swift glance
backward and saw the empty
saddle. smothered oath broke
forth. He was so irate that he
gave Hartwell's horse singing
blow with his whip, and the high spirited
animal bounded away toward the Union
lines. A second oath fell from the rebels
lips. At the same time the horsemen
came in sight, and an exclamation of de-
light hurst from each man as he loosened
his grip on his carbinc. The gray attire
of the new Corners Quoted their alarm. 1t
was soon ascertained that they also be-
longed to Van Dorn's force.
Greetings were exchay ged and intelli.
gence of the capture and escape was given
They held hasty consultation. 1t was
decided to leave the horses in an adjacent
grove under guard of three of the party
1t was impossible for horse to penetrate
the canebrake on account of the density Of
its vegetation and numerous bogs. The
rest would set off without further delay ir
pursuit of the escaping Union officer
Striking into the thicket where Hartwel
had commenced his flight. the pursuer'
were soon deep in the intricacies of the
Arkansas canebrake. They were sanguint
of over'aking the prisoner. He could no
be far ahead.
In the meantime the young lieutenan
was making gigantic strides through the
bosky brake, stumbling over clingins
vines which had rankly tangled them
selves around the canes, splashing ant
dashing into little pools of hidden, stag
nant water; then out again ard on witt
more precipitation than before, and int,
another worse than the last, frecklirg hi
boots and blue uniform with claye,
splashes. His physical condition was nc
adequate to the demand which the effor
enforced. He knew his pursuers wer,
not lar behind. The taking OF Union of
ficer was too great an honor to be light,
given up He must increase his speed.